Five Best Table Sports

There are hundreds of sports played around the world. Officially, there is an approximate of 200 sports that are internationally recognized by the relevant authorities. However, these sports can be classified into specific categories according to their nature. From individually performed to sports that requires teamwork, there is a wide range of categories.

There are many sports that uses table as a medium. Table is used as one of the main equipments without which the sport cannot be played. Here is a list of the 5 table sports that are played in various regions of the world:

Table tennis

Also termed as ping-pong, it is a racquet indoor sport which can be played by either two or four players. It is regulated by the International Table Federation which was brought into being in 1926. It has been qualified as an Olympic sport since 1988. Since then, this sport has gained a lot of popularity and played in a multitude of countries. Ball, table and paddle are the essentials that are required to play the game.

Table football

Table football is also termed as foosball in a number of regions. The basic objective of the game is to handle knobs to control the ball and move into opponent’s goal post. There is no one set of rules for the game since it varies from countries to countries. The origins of the games lie in the 1890s and gained a lot of recognition in Europe. It has been promoted at a larger scale in France by International Table Soccer Federation.

Beer pong

This game is also termed as Beirut. It is essentially a drinking game where a ping pong ball is thrown across a table with an objective to land it in a cup of beer which is placed on the other end. The origins of the game lie in the 1950s in the US. A set of ping pong balls, a beer pong table and disposable cups are needed to play this game.

Billiards

Billiards has a rich and long history with its inception lying in the 15th century. This game can further be subdivided into categories like pool, carom billiards and snooker. Each sub-category has its own set of rules. Nevertheless, billiard balls, a table, cloth, rack, cue, chalk and a mechanical bridge are required to play this sport. Individuals like Ronnie O’Sullivan have been regarded as one of the best players in the history of this sport.

Air hockey

Air hockey is one of those unique games that require an air-hockey table, a puck and two player-held strikers to play the sport. There are international tournaments conducted as well in the USA and Europe making it one of the most popular sports in the West. It is relatively as recently invented sport in the 1960s and 1970s by the employees of Brunswick Billiards. Since its inception, the game experienced a massive financial success with the sport being highly recognized in this day and age.